REST-based file server

Question

I need to be able to PUT files and GET them later using nothing but HTTP, so I went searching for something that might match the terms "REST file server" or "HTTP file server" or "REST drop-box", etc. Unfortunately, these terms bring up the wrong kind of results on Google.

What I want is the equivalent of an SMB fileshare over HTTP. Some ideal features:

• Can PUT a file of any type at http://servername/service/any/path/I/want/document.pdf
• Anyone with access can GET that file at the URL I PUT it at
• Supports AV scanning on any new file that has been PUT
• Supports DELETE of existing resources (files)

Our shop runs Windows, but I'd be interested to know about Unix software that can do this kind of thing, too.

It's to be used in an IT department for private users only. It won't be on a public-facing IP address.

Does anything like this exist?

Answer 1

Yes. As far as I know, WebDAV is designed to work like a filesystem, over HTTP.

For Apache there is mod_dav, and from a quick check on the Interwebs, IIS has it built-in, somehow.

Maybe WebDAV is something that could help you.

-Chris

Answer 2

CouchDB is a nosql database accessed by HTTP methods. You can store files of any type and retrieve them (for example, using curl).

Unfortunately, it would be difficult to scan them for viruses (maybe a map function using an online AV like virustotal).

Answer 3

I recommend you to take a look at this http file server. You can set up your own file server for managing and sharing files through web browser. It's like DropBox but self-hosted so that you can keep all your confidential files on your own server. The web based UI looks and feels like Windows 7 Explorer. It offers features that are not possible with a FTP server such as zipping files, downloading multiple files and folders in single download etc. It's also easier to set up and administrate than a FTP server.